The domed arena is hazy. The atmosphere from the Mist seeps in from the double doors to the tunnel. It’s cooler in here too. The lights from the observation deck above are absorbed in the rising fog. I take measured steps across the polished concrete floor and relax the hold on my abilities to power up.

My body greedily accepts the new energy, and my muscles warm. As I reach the middle of the arena, my warrior marks glow. A slight blue hue stands out against my pale skin as the intensity increases. The same electric blue of my eyes, the blue I connect to my powers. I place my right hand on the inside of my left forearm. A golden hilt emerges from my marks.

The braided metallic handle is solid in my grip as I pull it free from the ether. The satisfying scrape of a blade being drawn from a metal scabbard rings softly. I don’t know how the pure energy of my weapons can make sound, but they do.

My sword loses the corporeal appearance, turning into a lethal double edge blade. My warrior weapons are as much a part of me as my arms and legs. I’m complete when they’re in my grip.

The metal arena doors seal with a solid thud behind me. A deep vibration echoes across the empty, foggy expanse. The doors won’t open again until I defeat the demon or it defeats me. I check the observation deck. The viewing room sits high, just underneath the domed ceiling.

Through the wide window, I spot General Targe sitting center. He’s perched among the other officers, safely observing from twenty feet above. They’re all wearing vision enhancing goggles to see through the fog. It’s the perfect bird’s-eye view to evaluate each cadet.

I can take out a level one Grunt demon in my sleep. But to be safe, I’ll move from underneath the officer’s view and deal with the demon quickly. My powers are too unpredictable to stay under watch for too long.

Before I can withdraw my second blade and give my ready salute, the tunnel doors rattle. I turn my back on the officers. Both metal doors bounce off the stone walls from the force of what’s coming through.

The fog from the Mist is like a rolling wall. It pushes through the entrance and devours the air. Power flares hot through my limbs. I can’t locate the demon I’m supposed to fight. All I detect is more fog. I guess my trial started.

I summon my second blade from my right forearm, ready to get this done. While it is still in transition, three demons explode into the arena before me. My arm stalls briefly before I yank my blade loose from the ether. I slide backward to give myself more distance while I size them up.

I’ve taken on multiple demons during training outside the wall, in the demon territory. But there, I could use my powers unnoticed with the coverage of their atmosphere. Here, in the open, under observation, three demons are more than I can handle.

My heart sounds like it jumped in my ears. I’m tempted to look up at the officers to see if they’re sending back up. Obviously, something’s wrong. But being who I am, my trial could be going exactly as planned. It’s the perfect chance to get rid of the last Oren.

I spin my blades to loosen my wrists. With a slide to my right, I check out what I’m up against. The round, beetle-like body of the class one Grunt demon is easy to make out. It’s the only demon that should be in here with me.

Orange light radiates from behind the Grunt. It pulses bright and then dull like an erratic heartbeat before it finds a steady rhythm. The same rhythm I can feel pounding in my chest. Which means there’s a Blaze demon here, and it’s locked on to me.

I follow the light through the haze as it moves to one side of the Grunt. The Blaze’s stocky, leathery body crouches over four thick, clawed paws. It lowers its nine-foot-tall mass to the ground and advances. It’s prowling, hunting me.

I slide backward to get more distance. The Blaze’s toxic breath huffs out a warning growl. It throws its block head back to show off rows of serrated, dagger sized teeth.

Now, I regret not letting Cole be Primus. As if I had a choice. My powers take over anytime I’m in trouble like a freak survival instinct. It was harder to fail than I thought. Of course, if Cole was here instead of me, the general would’ve already had backup for him.

Sweat beads across my chest from the heat coming off the Blaze. I’m way too close. If it lets a fire breath loose or ignites its armor skin, I’m toast. Two targets are in front of me. I strain to hear the third over the blood rushing in my ears. The observation room is quiet. But outside the arena doors, Sergeant Gray orders the locks disengaged.

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I will more power into my legs, preparing to run since I can’t engage. I’ll just run away and keep running until backup arrives. Hopefully, my power cooperates and doesn’t make me unnaturally fast. But before help arrives, I need to take out the Grunt demon.

There’s no way I’m failing my trial and missing graduation. Forget about hoping for a retrial. I need to complete the objective before they open the doors, while avoiding the other two demons. What could go wrong?

The fog swirls around my feet as the third demon shifts into view. Oh, great, it’s a Flick demon. These give me the creeps. The Flick stands upright on two crooked, thin legs. Transparent, sickly gray skin sags around its bulbous joints. I’m a few feet taller, but that doesn’t matter much when it can teleport anywhere.

It stands between the other demons, tilting its smooth round head to one side. It’s dead, milky orbs for eyes focus on me. Well, I think they’re focused on me. It’s hard to tell without pupils.

The Flick’s arms lift away from its sides. I hold a gag as the skin slides downward to hang from bony limbs like thin, gooey curtains. I’ve never been this close to a Flick before or seen one stay solid for this long. Their elusive abilities and poisonous bite make them too deadly for cadets to take on. And they’re rarely by the wall where we trained.

Banging from the arena doors draw the Flick’s attention. I use the distraction to put more distance between us. The Blaze grumbles deep, but I keep sliding backward. From the cursing and banging, it sounds like the technicians struggle to disengage the locks. I’m on my own, and now running is not an option with a Flick here.

I raise my swords in a defensive stance in front of me. The Flick turns from the noise to face me and starts to flit and vibrate. Its vibrations pick up intensity and are so fast the demon disappears and reappears in place. I should run, but I can’t turn away.

A high-pitch wail pours out of the Flick’s lipless mouth and it stills again. I need a plan, but my eyes are stuck on its rounded mouth. Small gray pointed teeth glisten, coated in thick poisonous saliva. Streams of ropey drool run down its concave chest, pooling on the floor.

I heal fast. I don’t know if it’s fast enough to come back from a Flick bite. And I don’t want to find out. Another wail bounces around the walls. I cover my ears with my fists, still clenching my blades. I want to squeeze my eyes shut and curl on the floor. The piercing howl is too much for my heightened senses.

A heavy fog bank bursts from the open tunnel doors, and the wailing stops. My arms drop slowly, no sudden movements. The arena is dense, fog rushing along the walls and toward the ceiling. I can’t help the relieved sigh that escapes.

The dense atmosphere of the Mist is one of the demon’s greatest advantages against warriors. But I’m not a regular warrior. And they called forth the perfect cover for my abilities. More power pushes to my sight, making everything visible.

I’m just about to formulate my master plan when the Grunt demon charges. It glides on rows of insect like legs. The Blaze demon lowers its head, lidless, milky eyes still trained on me, but it doesn’t advance. The Flick’s position hasn’t changed either. It vibrates and its head tilts from side to side, studying me.

The fog washes over my head. I shield myself with my sleeve from the wave of sulfur the atmosphere brings. The Grunt picks up speed following the fog bank, expecting to have me at a disadvantage. I run to meet it. The Grunt tucks its head to barrel its horned forehead into my chest.

I pick up speed, drop to my knees in a slide, and throw my body backward. The demon passes over me, and I extend my blades straight up. The crackle of its shell-like armor slices open as my blades sink wrist deep into the Grunt’s underside.

It screeches a death howl as it skids across the concrete floor behind me. I jump back onto my feet. Thanks to the Grunt’s momentum, the black, sludgy demon ichor only covers my arms. Before I can turn around to confirm the victory, the air around me gasps, like a match igniting a ball of gas. It’s the Blaze demon.

I spin around. It expanded the protective heat of its tough skin. Small orange and blue flames dance across the thick leathery hide. Not good. I fling the sticky gore off my blades with a flick of my wrists. Sweat pools above my brow from the increasing heat. The hair over my forehead is soaked and drips onto my useless goggles. I back up. The heat is making it hard to breathe.

The Blaze tracks my movements, like the expert hunter it is. It advances, only moving when I do. I quickly scan the arena and don’t see the Flick. I back up again, and the Blaze steps forward. It’s herding me away from the doors and closer to the wall under the observation window. This is the worst place to be. I don’t want to chance using my powers in view of all those officers, even with the foggy cover.

With a few side steps, I turn us in a circle and start moving away. The Blaze rears back and plants four thick legs squarely on the ground. Its mouth opens wide to show the red glow of flames building. Ready to shoot from its throat, and I’m directly in its path.

I push more energy into my legs and squat. Sweat drips down the side of my face. I have a plan, it’s crazy, but sometimes crazy works. In seconds, a stream of incinerating breath is about to spew my way. And I hope my abilities will launch me clear of it. I’ve vaulted over boulders and jumped into the higher branches of trees before. But this Blaze is a moving, fire breathing target.

I grunt with the force of power rushing to my legs. My thighs radiate like they’ll burst, but look unaffected. The Blaze cuts a roar as the flames erupt. Here goes everything. I push off the ground hard, too hard. Not only do I clear the fire breath and the Blaze but the observation window too. I jump so high, I’m face-to-face with the observation deck.